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YouTube says it isn't hiding the dislike button for viewers, only on creators' own videos
YouTube told The Verge on Wednesday that it is not testing hiding the dislike button for viewers; the button is moving behind the three-dot menu only for creators viewing their own uploads.
- Android Authority is now reporting this
- New headline Was: “YouTube says it isn’t testing hiding the dislike button”
- Our desk filed its story
Primary source: YouTube's 2021 dislike-count announcement
YouTube said on Wednesday, Oct. 21, that it is not testing hiding the dislike button from viewers, after reports earlier in the week that the button had moved into a menu on some long-form videos1,2.
The statement narrows what had looked like a broader change for the platform's viewers. YouTube said the button is moving only for creators when they look at their own uploads1.
"We are not testing hiding the dislike button on YouTube for users," YouTube spokesperson Kimberly Taylor said in a statement to The Verge1.
Instead, YouTube said it is introducing a new layout for creators on videos they uploaded, in which dislike sits behind the three-dot menu1. Creators can still find full dislike counts in YouTube Studio alongside their other analytics, the spokesperson said1.
The Verge had reported on Tuesday that YouTube appeared to be testing the change, citing screenshots shared by at least two users on X1. Android Authority also reported on Tuesday that user posts on X and Reddit described the button missing from its usual spot on long-form videos and tucked into the three-dot menu2.
Android Authority said the change appeared limited to a small group of users and that the button was unchanged on its writer's own devices2. Neither outlet said how many accounts had seen it1,2.
The change follows earlier moves on dislikes. YouTube made public dislike counts private in November 2021, saying the step was meant to curb harassment and coordinated dislike campaigns against creators, while keeping the button3. The company removed the dislike button from Shorts earlier this year, according to The Verge and Android Authority1,2.
YouTube did not say when the creator-side layout would reach all channels, and the screenshots from viewers have not been explained beyond the statement1.
Sources
How it’s being reported
3 versions from 2 sources
YouTube says it isn’t testing hiding the dislike button
Leads with YouTube's on-record denial and the full spokesperson statement.
Walks back the outlet's own Tuesday report with a YouTube spokesperson's statement that the change applies only to creators on their own videos.
Leaves out Does not say how many users had reported seeing the moved button.
YouTube tests hiding Dislike button on regular videos
Leads with user reports of a hidden dislike button and links it to the earlier Shorts removal.
Reported on Tuesday, before YouTube's statement, that some users saw the dislike button moved into the three-dot menu on long-form videos and read it as a test.
Leaves out Predates and so lacks YouTube's statement that the change is for creators on their own videos.
Video Dislike Button & Count Updates
Gives this outlet’s account of the story.
YouTube's November 2021 post making dislike counts private while keeping the button.